Latitude: S 30 43' 20''
Longitude: E 25 05' 78''
Height above sea level: 1343m
Highest Point: Coleskop 1707m above sea level.
Surrounded by koppies and flanked by the towering flat-topped mountain known as Coleskop, which can be seen from 40km away, Colesberg is one of the Northern Cape's most beautiful towns. When the sun slips to the horizon, brushing the skies with brilliant hues, Coleskop's former name, Towerberg (meaning Magic Mountain) seems more appropriate. In earlier times there was a marsh at the foot of the mountain, frequented by large herds of game and also where travelers watered their animals.
In 1914,a mission station was built at the foot of Coleskop in the hope of bringing peace to the volatile frontier area of the Cape Colony.A second mission station, Hepzibah, was built a few kilometers away and the two soon attracted
1 700 Khoisan people to the area. Alarmed frontier settlers felt their security to be under threat and, in 1818,the Cape government intervened, putting an end to missionary work. In 1828,the farmers petitioned for a farm to be established and permission was granted by Cape Governor, Lord Charles Somerset.As a result,
18 138 morgen were given to the community by the government for administration by the local Dutch Reformed church. The first "erven" were sold on 27th January 1830 and the town was officially named Colesberg after Sir Lowry Cole, the then governor of the Cape.
The Transvaal Republic's president, Paul Kruger, born in Cradock in 1825,is believed to have spent his formative years on the farm, Vaalbank, falling in what was, by 1830,the town of Colesberg
Today, Colesberg is a traveler's oasis on the N1 highway between Cape Town and Johannesburg, offering many attractive accommodation establishments and educational and entertaining distractions. It is an important sheep-farming area, spread over half-a-million hectares and greater Colesberg breeds many of the country's top Merinos.It is also renowned for producing high-quality race horses and many stud farms, including the one owned by legendary golfer, Gary Player, are nearby. Back
Aerodrome:
No airport - small aerodrome, private planes only.
GPS: FACB Coordinates
Lat.: S 30 43' 20''
Long: E 25 05' 78''
2 dirt runways (1000m) running NS and EW.
Accommodation:
Colesberg has comfortable hotels and motels, affordable overnight guestrooms, chalets,self-catering cottages, B & B establishments and a caravan park.
There are also many guest farms and hunting lodges in the district.
There is no shortage of take-aways, licensed restaurants, tea gardens and coffee shops in towns. (See map)
( English style pub-home cooked tasty meals, inviting atmosphere,open every day for lunch and dinner)
5 Bell Street
051-753 0406
(Pizzeria)
(traditional Karoo dishes)
(light meals and nursery)
(selection of coffees, light meals, pancakes, also restaurant and pub)
Tourist Attractions and Places to Visit in and around Colesberg:
ˇ Colesberg Kemper Museum - Murray St. Dates back to 1862.The building originally housed the Colesberg Bank, later taken over by Standard Bank.It was also the town clerk's office for many years. It contains many articles dating back to the pioneering days, including the Kemper Collection dating to the 1880's,Anglo-Boer War photographs and artefacts, a 19th century toy collection and the Karoo Nomad Photographic exhibition compiled by UNISA.
Also of interest in the museum, is the original window pane on which was scratched the initials DP using the first diamond found in South Africa.John O'Reilly brought the stone to Colesberg, and Lorenzo Boyes, Acting Civil Commissioner, tested the stone by carving the letters on the window pane of his office .
ˇ Anglican Church - Church St.Beautifully decorated,designed by Sophia Gray (wife of Bishop Gray) and built in 1854.
ˇ Dutch Reformed Church - Church St.Built in 1863,its white walls dominate Church St.The clock tower was built in 1926.
ˇ Horse Mill - Bell St.Now Horse and Mill family pub.One of the country's last working horse mills.
ˇ Schutz and De Jager Building - Church St.The oldest building in Colesberg
ˇ Trinity Methodist Church - Established in 1840,the Methodist Society built its first chapel in Church St.The new Trinity Methodist Church, in D'Urban Row,was built in 1882.
* Walking Tours - Many of Colesberg's original buildings, in pristine condition, are fine examples of early Karoo architecture. The information office will happily organise a walking tour for you.Tel: 051-753 0678.
* Anglo-Boer War Tour - From November 1899 to February 1900,Colesberg was the southern front of the war. The information office offers a tour of Plateau Camp, Suffolk Hill, Grenadier Guard Rock, Memorial Hill and the military Cemetery where more than 400 men from 20 regiments are buried.
Tel:051-753 0678
* Doornkloof Nature Reserve - on the south-eastern banks of the Van Der Kloof Dam, the 9 388ha reserve features kudu, eland, brown hyena, mountain Reedbuck, steenbok, grey duiker, bat-eared ox, aardvark and aardwolf. About 173 bird species occur here. Wild Olive, sweethorn and karee can be seen in the ravines. It also features a 10km stretch of the Seekoei River, one of the most important tributaries of the Orange River.There are several hiking trails, amountain bike trails, an overnight hut and horse-riding facilities available (Provide own horse).
Tourist information: Information Office, Murray St., Colesberg, 9795
Tel: 051 - 753 0678 Fax: 051 - 753 0678 After Hours 753 0390 Back
